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I was a big fan of Gilligan’s Island (if you remember I told everyone I gave it up for Lent one year). You’re on a plane and it crashes (now I sound like another favorite show of mine LOST)…you wake up on this island and there is one person with you.

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I have New Orleans on my “places to visit before I die” list but not during the Mardi Gras season. I may have attempted the craziness in my 20’s but lifting my shirt in front of a bunch of strangers now would just not be the same. My craziness comes the day after Fat Tuesday which is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Growing up Catholic it was strongly suggested you give up something for Lent. What is Lent you ask…it is the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays which I just found out) where Christians imitate the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. It is a season of soul searching. So now is where my craziness came in. When I was a kid, one year for 40 days I actually gave up watching Gilligans Island. C’mon, that is just insane, and I survived it! I couldn’t give up Scooby, that would have put me over the edge so I settled for Gilligan.

Even though now I do not attend church I still like to take part in Lent, I find it to be a challenge for me. One year I actually gave up burping (yes, this is huge for me) but I had to stop because I got stomach aches. One year was French fries & feta cheese. You don’t have to “give up” something; you can “do” something also for 40 days. So this year I am going to do my stomach exercises every day…and I don’t like stomach exercises! For nostalgic reasons I could give up my favorite show this year, LOST, which is very similar to Gilligan since it involves being stranded on a desert Island but I came to my senses. I was young and stupid once, now I am older and much wiser. Am I the only one who now participates…anyone else? Don’t give up reading the Daily Dalia for 40 days!

What a big morning I had (it’s only 8:30 a.m. in California now). I woke up early and watched the 2 hour 5th season opener of LOST, my favorite show (they ended too late last night). Then the Oscar nominations came out, the Oscars are my Super Bowl, my World Series, my whatever basketball has…you get the picture.

Let’s start with LOST, the one word that comes to mind is unbelievable. I have said it before and I will say it again, this is the most creative show on T.V. An entire island disappears by the turn of a wheel but you don’t say “oh, that couldn’t happen”, instead you say “wow, how cool is that”. Now so far in this season your mind has to be sharp so there will be no drinking and watching LOST at the same time. They are traveling in time, gotta love it! Sawyer has not lost his sense of sarcasm handing out his nicknames. The best yesterday was Ginger to the redheaded girl…get it…Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, love that guy. I never want this show to end, it keeps my mind working.

Now onto the Oscars, I don’t think there are many surprises, I still have Frost/Nixon to see of the movies nominated. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received the most nominations; this movie is still a mystery to me of its popularity. They are saying the Dark Knight was snubbed (except the Heath Ledger nomination), c’mon, it’s Batman. I’m glad Milk was recognized along with the Sean Penn who gave a superb performance. Slumdog Millionaire came in with 10 (second highest) and is the favorite going in. Damn, I don’t have a job at the moment so I can’t win the Oscar pool; I’m pretty good at it. The Oscars will be seen on February 22nd so there is still time to see these great performances.

Big News…my favorite show LOST will be starting its 5th season on Wednesday, Jan 21st at 9:00 p.m. with its 2 hour premiere (can I set my DVR now)! I have said from the beginning…this show is one of the most creative out there, not like any other. True, I was a huge Gilligan’s Island fan so maybe I like the concept of being stranded on a desert island but in no way can you compare Gilligan to Sawyer. My only complaint with LOST is that you can’t sneeze during the show or you are…lost.

Season 4 ended with the Oceanic 6 realizing they must go back to the island (since being rescued), Ben moving the island (yes, I said moving an island) and Locke being revealed as the man in the coffin. I just can’t wait! ABC has said it is expected to run for 17 episodes. Forget about Christmas…I’m looking forward to January 21st!